Chaplaincy
Chaplains serve in many different sectors: business, military, hospitals, prisons, recreation and more. They minister to the spiritual, as well as emotional and sometimes physical, needs of people from all faiths. Depending on the field of service, they obtain the following in order to qualify:
- Education, usually an M.Div. or other related master's degree.
- Ordination completed by a denomination or faith community.
- Ecclesiastical endorsement, a process culminating in a legal document stating that the person is spiritually, doctrinally, educationally and professionally qualified. It is for a limited time and for a specific institution. For more information, read "What is an Ecclesiastical Endorsement?"
- Certification or specialized training in chaplaincy - Clinical Pastoral Education.
For more information on what a chaplain does and the different fields he or she can serve in, read Just What is Chaplaincy? or How to Become a Military Chaplain.
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) is a multicultural, multifaith organization devoted to providing education and improving the quality of ministry and pastoral care offered by spiritual caregivers of all faiths through the clinical educational methods of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). ACPE accredits CPE programs. CPE is offered in many kinds of settings: in hospitals and health care including university, children's, and veterans' facilities; in hospices; in psychiatric and community care facilities; in workplace settings; in geriatric and rehabilitation centers; and in congregational and parish-based settings. The ACPE website includes FAQs, job listings and sites for CPE training.
Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) is an interfaith professional pastoral care association of providers of pastoral care endorsed by faith groups to serve persons in physical, spiritual, or mental need in diverse settings throughout the world. APC provides certification and their website includes job listings, among other information.
COMISS Network is a network of professional organizations, institutions, and faith communities that promotes and supports collaboration among its membership and is the collective voice of advocacy to a variety of publics on behalf of the network. Among these ministries are chaplaincies in healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, mental health settings, the armed forces, business settings, industrial settings, pastoral counseling, clinical pastoral education, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. COMISS is an accrediting agency of training programs.
Corporate
Corporate Chaplains of America
Marketplace Chaplains USA
National Institute of Business and Industrial Chaplains
Healthcare
American Association of Pastoral Counselors
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
Association of Professional Chaplains
Coalition of Spirit-filled Churches The CSC website is particularly helpful when beginning to look into chaplaincy.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association
Plain Views An e-newsletter for chaplains and other spiritual care providers.
Military
Air Force Chaplaincy
Air Force Reserve Chaplains
Army Chaplaincy
Department of Veterans Affairs
Military Chaplains Association
Navy Chaplaincy
Navy Reserve Chaplain Corps
National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces Helpful overview information.
Prison
American Correctional Chaplains Association
American Rehabilitation Ministries
Calvary Commission
Coalition of Prison Evangelists
Coalition of Spirit-filled Churches
Federal Bureau of Prisons
International Prison Chaplains' Association
Public Safety: Police/Fire
Federation of Fire Chaplains
International Conference of Police Chaplains
Vancouver/Clark County, WA Chaplains
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Chaplains
The Spirit of the Law: Spiritual Resources for Law Enforcement
Religious Endorsing Bodies
A sample of endorsing agencies:
American Baptist Chaplaincy
Assemblies of God
Baptist General Convention of Texas
Christian Reformed Church
Church of God (Anderson, IN)
Coalition of Spirit-Filled Churches
Episcopal Church
Evangelical Free Church of America
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
National Association of Evangelicals
Reformed Church in America
Southern Baptist Convention
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
Specialty Ministries
Baseball
Baseball Chapel
Hockey
Hockey International
National Parks
A Christian Ministry in National Parks
Race Track
Race Track Chaplaincy of America






